Regimentation

The total regimentation of society is the major theme and premise of We. Human beings have no names; they are "Numbers" (consonants denote males and vowels females). In his diary, intended to enlighten barbaric inhabitants of other planets and convince them that the United States' approach to social order is rational and good, D-503 repeatedly praises the beauty of the system. Numbers are all the same, wearing identical "unifs," with heads shaved, marching everywhere four abreast to the sound of martial music. Modern military organizations certainly live by and extol these virtues.

The need for such a system seems to have grown out of a horrific Two Hundred Years' War. Its basis is the Table of Hours, derived by the legendary Taylor from ancient railroad schedules. It assures that millions of Numbers awaken, start and finish work, eat, walk, exercise, and go to bed at precisely the same...